JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of local high school students showed off their skills and talent as they went head-to-head for a welding competition in Jacksonville.
The view outside the Tulsa School of Welding gave people a sense of how popular Saturday’s competition was. However, the action was all inside, where the future welders received true hands-on training.
Elizabeth Carlson,19, was one of the competitors who said as a woman, it is “empowering” to be a welder – especially in a male-dominated industry.
“It makes me feel like, ‘You may think you’re better at this than me, but I have a chance to prove that I can do anything you can do’, and sometimes even better,” Carlson said.
Carlson’s enthusiasm is important because this industry is in need of more welders.
According to the American Welding Society, by 2027, the industry will be short about 360,000 welders.
“We need welding and pipe fitters. All of our employees are begging for people. The industry is just starving for people,” TWS Director of Training Jack Dulls said.
Bradly Fuhrmeister, TWS instructor, talked about what could happen if those positions aren’t filled.
“You’ll start to see infrastructure fail, to be quite honest with you. Any repair work that needs to be done on bridges or buildings, or any of the sort,” Fuhrmeister said.
News4JAX talked to a couple of students who said not only are they learning, but they’re having fun and feeling supported.
“Not only is it good to spread diversity, but statistically proven, women are better welders than men because we have a steadier hand, and we pay close attention to detail. That’s something most of the instructors here have told me,” Carlson said.
Putting their welding skills to the test and inspiring the next generation of welders.
Anyone interested in learning more about Tulsa Welding School is encouraged to visit its website.